also in this issue:

Ukrainian Gas Pipe Among EUs Key Energy Infrastructure Projects

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Ukraine expands participation in space projects

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Cambridge Makes Way for Ukrainian genious Taras Shevchenko

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Ukraine Digest, Friday, October 18, 2013

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On October 17, 2013 the official ceremony of the opening of the Days of Ukraine was held at the British Parliament. Among guests of the event were John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, John Whittingdale, Chair of the British-Ukraine All-Party Parliamentary Group, Lord Risby, Chairman of the British Ukrainian Society, Mr Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchyk, First President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom as well as other officials, representatives of the Ukrainian and British business circles, media and think tanks. The Days of Ukraine in the United Kingdom are organized in London from 17 to 19 October 2013 by Firtash Foundation, a charity, with the financial support of Group DF, an international group of companies based in Ukraine. As part of the event London Stock Exchange was opened by Ukrainian businessman Dmitriy Firtash on October 17.

It is very important that we begin the Days of Ukraine in the United Kingdom at the London Stock Exchange. London is the financial capital of Europe; it is a huge investment potential for our country. Dmitriy Firtash, the owner of Group DF

Ukraine shares the European values and is aimed at entering the family of European nations
The Days of Ukraine is the first cultural event of such a scale that we hold in the very heart of London. It is not just a festival, which aims to showcase the countrys vibrant contemporary art, literature, music and fashion. We want Britons to discover a brand Volodymyr new Ukraine, a country which Khandogiy, Ukraines shares the European values and Ambassador is aimed at entering the family of European nations. For almost twenty years we have witnessed the European integration success of our Eastern European neighbours and soon Ukraine will be signing a unique Association Agreement with the EU which will shape Ukraines civilizational choice. In my view this event may be compared to the fall of the Berlin Wall. This is a conscious choice and it is irreversible. It is in full compliance with aspirations of the Ukrainian people and strategic vision for development of the Ukrainian statehood. The relations of political association and economic integration between Ukraine and the EU will contribute to full potential of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the UK, boost mutually beneficial trade, investments, technological exchange and people-topeople contacts. This year has also seen a significant number of important Ukrainian-British bilateral events in the spheres of political dialog, economy, military and, of course, cultural dimension. I strongly believe that the Days of Ukraine in the UK, which we launch here at the Parliament, will be a successful festival. And I truly hope that it will turn into annual event.
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Ukraine Digest, Friday, October 18, 2013

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economy

EU Commissioner: Ukraines GDP Will Increase 6% After Signing Association Agreement

nce the free trade regime between the EU and Ukraine is fully introduced the GDP of the latter is bound to increase by more than six percent annually. Such statement was made by the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, pictured, during the roundtable discussion in the Ukrainian parliament. In his address the EU Commissioner talked about the new transitional provisions for the Ukrainian producers that are going to be introduced to help Ukrainian economy adapt to the EU standards. Negotiations on the liberalization mechanisms provide for the protection of Ukraines economy, so that the changes dont come too fast, said Fule. Reportedly, the international audit

company Ernst and Young estimates Ukraines current GDP growth at 1.1 percent, while the IMF stated that the GDP of Ukraine in 2013 was expected to remain at zero percent. The 2013 state budget estimates the nominal GDP in 2013 to reach approximately UAH 1,576 trillion (approx. USD 197 billion) maintaining the GDP growth at 3.4 percent. Now that Ukraine goes through reforms and is getting ready to sign the Association Agreement (AA) and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU, the eastern European country claims it is ready to do all the homework that may arise while AA and DCFTA are implemented, as noted by Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. DCFTA will undoubtedly create unique opportunities for accelerated modernization of the Ukrainian econo-

my, improving its investment attractiveness, and increasing competitiveness of Ukrainian manufacturers, said the Prime Minister. The implementation of technical regulations and standards requires a lot of work and significant investment, he noted, expressing hope that the Commission would grant Ukraine adequate financial and technical assistance to support the competitiveness of domestic products. The EU, on the other hand, was ready to provide financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 186 million, as noted by Commissioner tefan Fle. He also added that there was a possibility of allocating EUR 610 million after all the conditions of the European Union are met. Besides, the EU official promised to support Ukraine in its future negotiations with the IMF on the account of getting another loan.
Ukraine possesses 13 underground gas storage facilities with total capacity of more than 31 bln cubic meters

Ukrainian Gas Pipe Among EUs Key Energy Infrastructure Projects

Ukraine is not just a transit country for the Russian gas, the country also has a potential to store gas. Gnther Oettinger, EU Energy Commissioner

A PROJECT involving Ukrainian gas transport system has made it to the list of 250 key energy infrastructure projects, adopted by the European Commission on October 14, 2013. The projects will receive funding of EUR 5.85 bln during 2014-2020. Financing these energy infrastructure projects would create most benefits to European consumers, according to EU Energy Commissioner Gnther Oettinger. Ukrainian energy infrastructure project will involve the construction of a connecting Adamowo-Brody pipeline. It will extend for 371 km joining the JSC Uktransnaftas Handling Site in Brody (Ukraine) and Adamowo Tank Farm (Poland). The

pipelines maximum technical capacity will reach 10, 20 and 30 mln tonnes per year, respectively depending on the three consecutive stages of the project implementation. The completion of the 250 projects will help the EU members integrate their energy markets, enable them to diversify their energy sources and help bring an end to the energy isolation of some Member States, reads the europe.eu note. Moreover, the projects will enable the energy grid to uptake increasing amounts of renewables, helping reduce CO2 emissions. Ukraine is a major transporter of imported Russian gas to Europe. Its vast pipe network (near-

ly 40,000 km long) allows the country to transport, store, and distribute gas to many European countries. Ukraines pipelines go from Russia to Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Ukraine obtained its first gas pipe back in 1924. Its gas transport infrastructure has been developing rapidly ever since. Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities constitute another subject of interest for the EU. Ukraine is not just a transit country for the Russian gas, the country also has a potential to store gas, said Oettinger. We are considering the possibility of storing 35 bln cubic meters of gas [in Ukraine], maybe 60, he added.
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Ukraine Digest, Friday, October 18, 2013

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space

The space industry has a potential to be a key to innovation development of Ukraine

Ukraine expands participation in international space projects

launch vehicle and prepare the necessary production facilities. Brazil will create a launch center infrastructure at Alcantara. The Ukrainian-Brazilian Alcantara Cyclone Space entity established in 2007 is in charge of this ambitious high-tech project. It began construction of ground based facilities for Cyclone-4 in Brazil during the autumn of 2010. According to the National Space Agency of Ukraine, to date, construction is more than half finished. It is expected that the first launch of Cyclone-4 will occur at Alcantara in late 2014. Ukraine has expanded cooperation with many countries in the space sector. Under the RussianUkrainian joint project, on August 22, 2013 the Dnepr launch vehicle was launched at the Yasny launch base (Orenburg region, Russia). It delivered into orbit a South Korean remote sensing satellite KompSat-5 weighing 1,400 kilograms. his is the 18th successful launch of the Dnepr launch vehicle, which helps dispose of intercontinental missiles by using them to deliver space payloads. It should be noted that the Dnepr launch vehicle based on the RS-20 missile is internationally popular and attracts investors by its reliability, minimal impact on the payload during launch, as well as by its cost. The launch price is 31 mln euros, which is significantly cheaper than the nearest European competitor, the Vega launch vehicle, which costs 59 mln euros to launch. A reliable Dnepr LV has a 97% success rate (188 test launches), the best for missiles of this class. Ukraine in 2013 further strengthened its influence on the global market for space products by the successful launch of Dnepr LV. Ukraines space enterprises continue to play a key role in technical support of the most significant space program today. The government believes that the space industry has a potential to be a key to innovation development of Ukraine. Its support will satisfy the long-term interests of the state in security and defense, boost development of fundamental and applied science, and education. The Cabinet last year approved the Concept of national targeted science and technology space program 20132017. The approximate funding from all sources (state budget funds, investment, public-private partnerships) is 2.58 bln USD, including 140 mln USD from the state budget.
www.UkraineDigest.co.uk

Ukrainian government aimed to increase local space industry output by 50 percent over the next five years through closer cooperation with investors. We are setting up a program to implement research and development projects in the space industry on the basis of public-private partnerships. Mykola Azarov, Ukraines PM

The government has approved raising an additional 2.6 bln USD in 2013 required for the Cyclone-4 project, which envisions creation of a space rocket complex at the launch site Alcantara in Brazil under state guarantees. The project is included in the Ukraines Economic Development Program (20132014). It was approved last spring. The implementation of the joint UkrainianBrazilian project will help strengthen Ukraines position on the global space market, increase volume of production of the domestic space industry and help Ukraine enter new regional markets. Creating a space rocket complex Cyclone-4 is included in the long-term cooperation agreement signed by Ukraine and Brazil in 2003. The complex will enable the launch from Alcantara of spacecraft into low and medium Earth orbits. In accordance with the agreement, Ukraine will develop the

Ukraine Digest, Friday, October 18, 2013

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culture

An unveiling of a special commemorative pavement marker takes place on the Sidgwick Site to commemorate the Bicentenary of the birth of a painter and poet known widely as Ukraines cultural godfather.

aras Shevchenko (1814-1861) deserves his own Hollywood blockbuster. Ukraines cultural godfather was an orphaned serf who became a painter; a painter who became a fearless poet; and a poet who endured imprisonment and exile to become the voice of a people. His work led to the emergence of a country that is now the largest within Europe. Over the course of the coming year, the University of Cambridge will be joining the world in celebrating the 200th anniversary of Shevchenkos birth. Today, the University is announcing that it has named a central avenue on the Sidgwick Site Taras Shevchenko Way ( ) for the duration of the bicentennial. This symbolic, temporary naming of a well-travelled passage running east to west on the Sidgwick Site is a first for Cambridge. Its location - at the intersection of the Faculties of Law,

Taras Shevchenko is one of the most uncompromising and unique voices in modern European culture. This voice is becoming increasingly better known in Great Britain. Since 2008, Shevchenkos poetry has been studied in the Ukrainian original by Cambridge students. Dr Rory Finnin, University Senior Lecturer

History, Divinity and Modern and Medieval Languages - was selected to speak to the poets enduring legacy. Taras Shevchenkos work shatters barriers between east and west, explains Dr Rory Finnin, University Senior Lecturer in Ukrainian Studies. With a singular passion he appealed for justice for all oppressed peoples, drew important moral lessons from the past, and interrogated the relationship between the human and the divine in a broken world. His is one of the most uncompromising and unique voices in modern European culture. This voice is becoming increasingly better known in Great Britain. Since 2008, Taras Shevchenkos poetry has been studied in the Ukrainian original by Cambridge students in the MML Faculty. Since 2011, prints of his paintings have hung in seminar rooms in the Raised Faculty Building. For too long, Taras Shevchenko has been placed on

a granite pedestal and primarily considered a Ukrainian national poet, says Finnin. At Cambridge we read him as a poet of global stature and significance who happens to be Ukrainian. In his innovative use of a vernacular, he can be as powerful as Burns. In his confessional lyricism, he can be as intimate as Rilke. In his mysticism, he can be as evocative as Blake. And in his humanism, he can be as strident as Tagore. This complexity can be intimidating, but our students relish the challenge. Cambridge Ukrainian Studies, a programme of the Department of Slavonic Studies, plans to use Taras Shevchenko Way for impromptu literary readings and musical performances over the course of the bicentennial. Todays unveiling is connected with this weeks Days of Ukraine festival in London (1719 October), which is showcasing the best of contemporary Ukraines literature, music, fashion, and visual art.
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Ukraine Digest, Friday, October 18, 2013

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culture

by Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK

aras Shevchenko Way. had never been to In his times, Shevchenko England, but he was didnt get a chance to visit the fond of English lit- motherland of his favourite erature and art. The Ukrainian poet and playwright. He had genius Shevchenko was fond never been to Cambridge as of the most prominent English well. Due to lecturers and stugenius William Shakespeare. dents of Cambridge UniverThe researchers note that sity as well as to all those who Taras Shevchenko always kept support the Ukrainian StudShakespeare verses in Russian ies at Cambridge University translation with him. the name and works of Taras Nowadays Taras Shevchen- Shevchenko are settled in one kos works and his name are well of the most prestigious Univerknown to the world. Even sities of Great Britain. far away in the outer As Gafur Guspace there is an lom, the Uzbek asteroid Kobpoet said about zar, which was Shevchenko, he named after is a faithful and the outstandgenius son of ing Ukrainthe Ukrainian ian poet and people, but he artist. The belongs to all Shevchenko the peoples poetry is transnotwithstandlated even to ing of the lanChinese and to guage they speak more than to twenand the part of the ty languages of the world they live. This nations living in India. Self-portrait, is so because he praised There is no such the high and noble ide1840 a city, town or even als, which are immortal a village in Ukraine, and which express the which dont have its street, best thoughts and aspirations park named after the Ukrain- of all the peoples of the world. ian genius. There are almost The unveiling of the Taras 128 monuments to Taras Shevchenko Way in Cambridge Shevchenko outside our coun- is another recognition of signifitry. Since today Cambridge cance of the Shevchenkos heritalso has its Taras Shevchenko age for the world.

Kateryna (1842, Oil) Shevchenko belongs to all the peoples notwithstanding of the language they speak and the part of the world they live. The unveiling of the Taras Shevchenko Way in Cambridge is another recognition of significance of the Shevchenkos heritage for the world. Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukraines Ambassador

Last year when Ukraine hosted the EURO football Championship, the Guardian compared the famous Ukrainian football player, who has the same surname as our national poet Andrii Shevchenko with his English colleague Wayne Rooney. The British paper said then: His name has a particular meaning. Just imagine that Wayne Rooney were born as Wayne Shakespeare. I believe that Taras Shevchenko should have loved such a paralel with Shakespeare, his favourite poet and playwright of England. Im particularly proud that due to all who study and popularize the works of Taras Shevchenko in Great Britain the country of Shakespeare and football the name of Shevchenko associates not only with the modern sport but with the classic literature and art of Ukraine, the country of a huge potential and rich history.
Tel.: 020 7727 6312 E-mail: press@ukremb.org.uk Address: 60 Holland Park, London W11 3SJ

For more information, please, contact Oksana Kyzyma, Press Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine to the UK Issue #25, October 18, 2013

In the preparation of this issue materials of UKRINFORM, WNU, cam.ac.uk, ukraine-days.co.uk were used